John Sykes, the guitar powerhouse behind Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, left an unforgettable mark on rock.
From soaring solos to iconic riffs, his influence lives on.
Join us as we remember the legacy of this guitar legend.
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The Guitar Virtuoso John Sykes
This name resonates deeply in the halls of the rock and metal world.
Known for his spellbinding guitar skills and songwriting, John Sykes has carved out a legacy spanning decades.
His contributions to Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake solidified his status as one of the greatest underrated guitarists in rock history.
In this post, we’ll take a detailed look at his career, unique style, main guitar and the legacy he has left behind.
Early Life And Beginnings
Image of John Sykes on Solo CD LoveLand 1997 with his 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul – Image courtesy of Amazon – Tap to see more.
John James Sykes (Born 29 July 1959 ) was an English guitarist from Reading, Berkshire and was best known as a member of Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang.
He also fronted the hard rock group Blue Murder and released several solo projects. (More on this later)
Early Years
After his uncle showed him how to play some Eric Clapton Licks on the guitar at the age of 14, Sykes spent the next two years practising blues songs on an old nylon string acoustic.
Early Influences
Sykes cites iconic guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Allan Holdsworth, and John McLaughlin as some of his biggest influences.
These diverse inspirations have shaped his versatile approach to playing.
Despite starting the guitar in his mid-teens, the young guitarist honed his skills with relentless practice and was eventually asked to join the band Streetfighter from Blackpool in the late 70s.
Streetfighter
Sykes made his recording debut on the Streetfighter track “She’s No Angel,” which appeared on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal compilation New Electric Warriors in 1980.
Despite Streetfighter never achieving much mainstream success, the experience set the stage for the artist to enter more significant projects, such as joining Tygers of Pan Tang.
Tygers Of Pan Tang
They were a band emerging from the new wave of heavy metal in Britain and in the same music genre as upcoming icons like Iron Maiden.
Sykes recorded two albums with the group, Spellbound and Crazy Nights, which were both released in 1981.
After a year, the guitarist left the group two days before the band’s French Tour started, dissatisfied with the lack of dedication.
However, he still appeared on two tracks on the band’s fourth album, The Cage, which was released after he had already departed.
Asked to replace Guitar great Gary Moore in September of 1982, Sykes joined the Irish hard rock group Thin Lizzy, a band already legendary for its twin-guitar attack with Phil Lynott at the helm.
Joining Thin Lizzy: A New Era
John Sykes and Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) at the 1983 Reading Rock Festival in the UK-Image courtesy of Wikimedia-Author Steve Knight-and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Thin Lizzy had built a reputation for their melodic yet hard-hitting sound.
The two co-wrote and performed the single “Please Don’t Leave Me.“
Officially confirmed as the band’s new guitarist, Sykes brought fresh energy and a fiery style to the band. He contributed significantly to their final studio album, Thunder and Lightning (1983), in which he also co-wrote the single “Cold Sweat.”
Sykes’s inclusion of writing, singing and playing helped revitalize the group.
Thin Lizzy played their final UK concert at the Reading Festival in August 1983 before finally disbanding after the show at Nuremberg’s Monsters of Rock festival on 4 September.
During the tour, the band recorded the live album Life.
Key Contributions
Sykes’ guitar work on Thunder and Lightning showcased his ability to blend technical proficiency with emotional playing.
Tracks like “Cold Sweat” featured blistering solos, heavy riffs, and a modern edge.
His energetic and heavy guitar work helped modernize the band’s sound, making it one of their most aggressive records.
His partnership with Scott Gorham on the dual-guitar harmonies gave the album a dynamic texture.
Despite Thunder and Lightning being billed as the group’s farewell tour, with the band going their separate ways in 1983, Sykes and Lynott were eager to continue in what would become Grand Slam.
Enter Whitesnake
In 1984, David Coverdale was convinced the band needed a “Guitar hero” to reach their full potential and was looking for the right fit for his group Whitesnake.
Coverdale approached Sykes while both bands played at some of the same European festivals.
Sykes was initially reluctant to join, wanting instead to continue working with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott.
Still, after several more offers, negotiating a satisfactory contract, and receiving Lynott’s blessing, he accepted, initially replacing Mickey Moody.
David Coverdale from Rock Breakout Years: 1987 CD – Image courtesy of Amazon.com- Tap Image to see more
This became a turning point for the upcoming guitarist and the band itself.
The Artist’s playing style perfectly complements Coverdale’s vocals and songwriting contributions, shaping the band’s now-most iconic tracks.
This partnership would create one of the most iconic hard rock albums of all time: Whitesnake 1987, also known as Serpens Albus.
He made his live debut with the group in Dublin on 17 February 1984 and was tasked with recording new guitar parts for the US release of the band’s album Slide It In.
Afterwards, Whitesnake embarked on a lengthy world tour, culminating in two shows at the 1985 Rock in Rio festival.
Sykes played a key role in the group’s newfound sound and vibrant look.
The record became Whitesnake’s first significant success in the US, selling over half a million copies.
A Guitar-Driven Revolution
The band’s seventh album, self-titled 1987, released in April ’87, became the band’s most commercially successful project, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart, going multi-platinum, and selling over eight million copies in the US alone.
This elevated Whitesnake to international superstardom.
From co-writing hits like “Still of the Night” to delivering jaw-dropping solos on “Crying in the Rain” and “Is This Love,” Sykes played a pivotal role and defined the album’s polished yet aggressive sound by combining his melodic sensibilities and shredding technique.
Songs like “Here I Go Again” and “Give Me All Your Love” became radio staples, cementing Sykes as a guitar hero of the era.
Slip Of The Tongue
Heavily involved in making Whitesnake’s next album, “Slip of the Tongue,” Sykes co-wrote nine songs with the singer.
The duo pushed the group towards a more mainstream Heavy Metal Sound, which Coverdale described as “leaner, meaner and more electrifying.“
His fiery solos and massive riffs became a defining element of the new Whitesnake’s sound.
Bad Blood
Eventually, insecurity, miscommunication, and power struggles began souring Coverdale’s relationship with the rest of the group.
Feeling less than confident in his current lineup despite the new-founded success, Coverdale fired all the existing members and put together a new touring lineup, including guitarist Adrian Vandenberg and Vivian Campbell.
Coverdale said that although the two (him & Sykes) had creative magic, their personal differences were “insurmountable.”
Sykes’s relationship with David Coverdale remained strained to the end, with the guitarist saying…
“I really have no interest in ever talking to him again.”
And it never did happen.
Blue Murder
John Sykes – Blue Murder Concert Photo-Image courtesy of Amazon.com- Tap the image to get yours
Following his dismissal from Whitesnake, Sykes embarked on a solo career and formed a powerhouse Trio in Blue Murder, featuring an iconic lineup with bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice.
Blue Murders’ self-titled debut album, released in April 1989, allowed the platinum-playing guitarist to explore his creative vision fully. It became a commercial success, reaching 69 on the Billboard 200 charts.
The album blended hard rock, blues, and metal, showcasing Sykes’ versatility as a guitarist and vocalist.
Songs like “Valley of the Kings” and “Jelly Roll” highlighted his intricate guitar work and ability to craft memorable melodies.
The band then embarked on a tour across America and Japan.
While their debut album would sell an estimated 500,000 copies, Blue Murder’s success fell short, and Sykes blamed the band’s label for dropping the ball.
Labels Expectations
Sykes felt Geffen Records did not correctly promote the group, stating:
“I think they were trying to get me and David [Coverdale] back together.
They wanted me to get back with the ‘winning formula’.
But the wounds were too fresh.
I stayed with the same label.
In hindsight, I would have done better with a different label.”
While Blue Murder didn’t achieve the commercial success of Whitesnake, it garnered critical acclaim and remains a cult favourite among rock and metal fans.
Hard Rock Days Numbered
Eventually, Marco Mendoza and Tommy O’Steen replaced the original lineup while recording and releasing the band’s follow-up album, Nothin’ But Trouble, in 1993.
In 1994, Blue Murder released a live album, Screaming Blue Murder: Dedicated to Phil Lynott, after which they were dropped from their label and broke up.
Two albums and a live record later, he embarked on a solo career
While Blue Murder achieved a dedicated following, the band faced challenges in the ever-changing music landscape of the 1990s.
Grunge and alternative rock rose, and the commercial appeal of blues-based hard rock waned in the following years.
Sykes signed with the Japanese branch of Mercury Records and released his first solo album, Out of My Tree, in 1995.
His second solo album, Loveland, was released in 1997.
Mercury Records initially requested a seven-track extended play of ballads. Still, Sykes ultimately expanded the project into a proper album, 20th Century, a companion record to Loveland featuring heavier material released that same year.
This was followed up by Nuclear Cowboy in 2000.
After a failed attempt to secure a European recording contract with Z Records, Sykes signed a distribution deal with Burnside Distribution in 2003.
This deal made his solo albums available in the US for the first time, followed by the release of the live album Bad Boy Live! (2005).
In 2013, Sykes revealed he was working on a new solo album.
Samples from the record were released in 2014, and the artist discussed the album in a 2017 interview with Young Guitar Magazine.
In January 2019, it was announced that Sykes had signed a recording contract with Golden Robot Records to release his long-delayed solo album. However, he parted ways with the Record label in November of the same year.
On 1 January 2021, Sykes released “Dawning of a Brand New Day,” his first new song in over twenty years.
This was followed up by “Out Alive” in July.
Accolades
In 2004, he was included on Guitar World‘s list of “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time.”
In 2011, he was included on Guitar Player’s “50 Unsung Heroes of the Guitar” list.
Guitar Player also highlighted Sykes in their 2021 article “How ’80s Guitar Heroes Changed Hard Rock Forever” as one of the most influential rock guitarists of the 1980s.
Following Sykes’s death, Forbes magazine’s Quentin Thane Singer wrote…
“While Sykes didn’t see the same worldwide recognition as other like-minded 1980s guitar heroes, his musical contributions to the genre and capabilities as a guitarist are no less significant.”
Influence On Modern Players
His influence can be heard in the work of numerous guitarists across various genres and his legacy as one of Rock’s most gifted players.
Vai On Sykes
Did You Know
After leaving Tygers of Pan Tang, Sykes unsuccessfully auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne‘s band and briefly joined John Sloman’s “Badlands.”
The Guitarist auditioned for Guns & Roses in 2009 and was also considered for the spot in Def Leppard, replacing the late guitarist Steve Clarke.
While no formal auditions occurred, Sykes did jam with the band and sang backing vocals on their 1992 album Adrenalize.
Ultimately, Def Leppard would hire Vivian Campbell, formerly of Dio and Whitesnake.
Guitar Style
John Sykes’ guitar playing was a masterclass combining technical proficiency with raw emotion.
The Artist was renowned for his melodic yet aggressive playing style. His main characteristics were intense alternate picking; fluid legato runs, pinch harmonics, tapping, sweeping arpeggios, and expressive vibrato.
Despite the flashy techniques, he always regarded himself as a “Blues player that plays heavy metal with a sense of melody” using his hand tone.
Guitar & Gear
Sykes’s playing was known for its thick, overdriven tone, creating a massive, sustain-heavy sound.
This was a combination of his beloved 1978 black Gibson Les Paul Custom (nicknamed “The Black Beauty”) and high-gain Marshalls or Mesa Boogie amps, which became his trademark in the industry.
The Artist also used other guitars throughout his career, including the 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul mentioned above, a 1961 Fender Stratocaster, an EVH Frankenstrat, and a Joe Satriani model Ibanez.
Chrome Personal Touches
During the Thin Lizzy days, at Phil Lynott’s suggestion, John changed the pickup mounting rings, pickguard, and toggle switch plate from the stock parts to chrome pieces, and replaced the original Gibson tuners with Grovers and a brass nut, giving the guitar its unique look and feel.
Wear & Tear
Black Beauty has been used in thousands of shows and every recording John has made for the last twenty years, following the instrument to be re-fretted several times.
The current fret wire is a medium-jumbo size and has a very different feel from the “Fretless Wonder” style frets Les Paul Customs often have.
Much of the finish has worn off the back and neck of the guitar, showing severe signs of wear and tear. (See Image)
The original John Sykes 1978 Les Paul Custom with Extensive Wear & Tear after years of touring and playing. Image courtesy of Johnsykes.com – inspiring his line of signature guitars.
Limited Run Signature Model
In 2006, this “road-warrior” instrument inspired the famed manufacturer to produce a John Sykes signature model.
Gibson Custom Shop would release a limited line of Signature Les Pauls in “Aged” and “Unaged” variations, modelled in exact detail.
The line quickly sold out.
2006 Gibson Custom Shop John Sykes Les Paul Custom with chrome hardware, Grove tuners and brass nut “UnAged” Image courtesy of Equipment.com
Powerstation
For years, the guitar’s power station included a Gibson “Dirty Fingers” pickup in the bridge position. However, after all the years of work, the pickup started malfunctioning, so it was replaced with a lower-output re-issue Gibson PAF.
FAQ
Video
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, I never enjoyed seeing John Sykes live in concert.
On two occasions, the Whitesnake lineup I experienced had Vandenberg/Campbell, the first time, and Vandenberg /Vai, the second.
Image courtesy of Amazon.com
I always felt he was the complete package, the trifecta of talent, combining hard working with…
- Guitar playing
- Songwriter and
- Singing
Underrated
Despite his massive influence, Sykes often didn’t receive the mainstream recognition of peers like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads or Slash.
His career was marked by sudden departures of long periods out of the spotlight, contributing to his underrated status.
Passing Of A Rock Guitar Legend
On 20 January 2025, it was announced via a statement on his social media and website that the guitarist had died after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 65.
RIP John Sykes, you will be missed.
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Feature Image of John Sykes performing with Whitesnake at the Oakland Coliseum in 1984. -Image courtesy of Wikimedia- Author odonata22 (Dana Wullenwaber)-And is licensed under the CC BY-SA 2.0
The second feature image of John Sykes’ is from the album cover Live in Los Angeles 1995, courtesy of Amazon.com.
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